The Apple iPhone X has a display with 19.5:9 aspect ratio with almost no chin, which eliminates the space for a home button. So, the company introduced gesture-based navigation, which replaces the home button.

Similarly, Xiaomi has also started testing the gesture-based UI on its “Full-Screen” devices. The list of compatible devices includes the Xiaomi Mi MIX, MIX 2, Redmi Note 5 Pro, and the Redmi Note 5. Similarly, OnePlus is also testing gesture-based navigation for the OnePlus 5T on an open beta ROM.

Xiaomi introduced the gesture-based navigation system in the Mi MIX 2 initially. This comes after Apple introduced similar gestures in the iPhone X. With devices moving toward an all-screen and no bezel design, gestures could be the future. While the transition for iPhone users from the home button to gestures was organic, same can’t be said for Android users.

iOS used gestures before the introduction of the iPhone X as well. Swiping from left to right on the screen to go back in an app was one of them. However, Android has always used three buttons for navigation. Hence, the transition could be a bit more cumbersome. That being said, we expect more smartphone makers to introduce gestures within their UI as time goes by.

It is worth noting that one has to install Global MIUI 9.5 Beta ROM to test out the feature on this smartphone. Similarly, as this is a beta ROM, we do not recommend installing this on a daily driver. To enable gesture control, go to Settings, full-screen display, select full-screen gestures. Go through the tutorial ones to understand basic commands.